A/N: Hi everyone, I'm glad that so many people are reading this story. I never imagined so many people would enjoy this tale of mine. Sorry that this one is a bit shorter than the other chapters, but I wonder which you guys prefer? Short or long chapters? I prefer longer chapters which is why I always shoot for chapters between 3,000 and 5,000 words. What do you guys like?


Maru had taken her time returning to the western lands. She wanted to stall for as long as possible, she knew the wrath of Sesshomaru would be fierce and she wanted to enjoy her freedom for at least a day. Once she reached the border of the western lands she concealed her presence for the sake of not being attacked prematurely by Sesshomaru. He'd surely catch her this time. He was angrier than ever that she had evaded him so many times. Naruku was the only other hanyou to ever evade him like she did. It was a quirk of hers that he had always loathed. It was how she had frequently prolonged their sparring matches as adolescents.

She tried to imagine what would be good about returning to the western lands. She thought for a moment about being able to bother Jaken again but knew the kappa would take time to warm up to his loving Maru-sama again. She threw that thought in with the other events she wasn't too excited about. She thought of walking the castle gardens and playing board games with the servants, something she had frequently done with Rin when she was permitted into the castle. She thought this would be very enjoyable, as she remembered a particular cook that she could never beat at shogi. It would be interesting to finally defeat him. Also sparring with the soldiers had been a pastime of hers since she was a child training under Lord Inu no Taisho. That all would be lovely but would not happen every day. She tried to think of something she would be able to enjoy every day.

She recalled that the castle had its own onsen. She could enjoy that every day! However, such thoughts were shooed away as it reminded the hanyou of the last time she had visited the castle. Though she had only shared the bath once during her month long stay, the memory never left her. She decided not to think of what her time in the castle would be like once she returned.

Returning her attention to her surroundings she could see the tile roof of the castle peeking over the top of the upcoming hill. She could imagine the residence of the Western Lord already. A large stone wall surrounded the town in which many of the vassals, farmers, merchants, and artisans loyal to the lord resided. Homes and shops of various sizes but typically the same design as the castle surrounded the large compound that the castle stood within in the center of the town surrounded by a moat. The mountainous castle cast a large shadow over the happy town. Maru had frequently enjoyed venturing through the market seeing all the products on sale. She had frequently ventured around the town with Sesshomaru as children, but was always in disguise at first as many of the vassals living within the town were inu yokai. The kitsune was not welcome among several of the vassals though when Inu no Taisho caught wind of the mistreatment of Maru, he was quick to put the vassals in their place. As a teen, she walked through the market and would always be greeted with smiles. She had originally apprenticed under one of the town's blacksmith's before learning from Totosai in later years after traveling with her Lord.

She sat down at the top of the hill to take in the sight she had frequently seen from the hill for centuries alongside Lord Inu no Taisho. The two, and occasionally Sesshomaru also, would stand at the top of the hill and watch as life went on within the walls of the town and castle. It still appeared the same no matter how long Maru was away, whether Sesshomaru resided in the castle or not, which he frequently did not just like his father. Yet despite the lords frequent absences, no one dare tried to take the throne. Maru remembered one of Lord Inu no Taisho's advisors, who always greeted them upon their return, he had been the equivalent of Jaken to Maru as she had often teased the old man in her youth. She frequently caused the man false worry and annoyance with her tricks and other antics, but he always spoke well of her.

Maru smiled at the memories that the castle and town held from her youth. It would not be like that now. Many of the yokai she had known had passed away or passed on their trade to their children and if not that then many would not recognize her due to rumors that she had died alongside her Lord when her service was passed on to Inuyasha and his mother. She still remembered the night well. It had been the first time she had disobeyed her Lord's command.


Maru ran as fast as she could over the snow covered plain toward the location of her master on the coast. She could sense that he was with Sesshomaru, and no hostile aura was nearby. She was slightly relieved that no enemy seemed to be in the area and Ryuukotsusei's presence had disappeared for quite some time.

Maru came up behind Sesshomaru catching wind of their current conversation, "…will you kill me, your own father?" Lord Inu no Taisho faced away from the both looking out at the sea.

Maru looked her lord over noticing the scent of his blood and the small pool of blood forming in the pure white snow next to him, "My lord! You are hurt" Maru exclaimed as she stepped forward only to be stopped by Sesshomaru.

She growled at the inu but his gaze never left his father's back, "You are not a part of this" Sesshomaru stated coldly.

Maru pushed his hand away ready to retort, "Maru, leave it for now" the kitsune lowered her head and backed away. Her lord was silent for a moment before he spoke once more to his son, "Why do you seek power?"

Maru looked to the inu she had been raised alongside, his face cold and determined, "The path I walk is the way of supreme conquest and it is power that will reveal the way for me" Sesshomaru stated.

Lord Inu no Taisho lowered his head, "The way of supreme conquest, huh?" his head rose toward the moon, "Tell me Sesshomaru, have you someone to protect?" he asked his son. Maru lowered her head, knowing what Sesshomaru had asked for, his inheritance. Her lord would not have asked of such if not for the topic of So'unga and Tessaiga.

"Someone to protect?" he murmured. Maru knew what his answer would be, "I have no need of such."

Lord Inu no Taisho was silent as he took on his true form and silently left running for the castle where Lady Izayoi resided. Maru turned to follow him, but stopped, "You must understand, Lord Inu no Taisho. So'unga and Tessaiga can only be wielded by one who has someone to protect. Lord Inu no Taisho has many to protect as the Lord of the Western Lands. You must learn that if you intended to inherit his position" Maru stated trying to be civil with her rival.

He sneered, "What can a mere hanyou know of such things." Maru sighed as she turned to follow her lord, "Why do you follow him to that place, you know all too well the cruelty and disgrace of humans?" he asked stopping the kitsune in her tracks.

She turned and smiled at him, "Because not all humans are cruel just like not all yokai are evil. It is something you will learn one day, Sesshomaru" she stated before running after her master.

Maru caught up to him much too quickly. She knew that his injuries were taking a toll on him, "My lord…" she was cut off by the larger demon.

"Maru, you are to stay at the edge of the forest and protect Izayoi and the child. Do not follow me into battle."

Maru stared at her lord begging him with her eyes, but lowered her gaze in submission, "Yes, my lord" she stated as the castle came into sight. Maru watched as her master left her side to retrieve the mother of his child. Maru could hear the cries of the child as she watched him leave.

Maru watched as the building was set ablaze and she could hear the wood creak under the weight as the fire weakened it. She soon could sense Lady Izayoi's aura and went to her as she entered the forest.

She spotted the woman as she was cloaked in the fire red haori, "My Lady!" she called to her as she approached, "Are you hurt?" Maru asked her as she reached the ill clothed woman.

"I am fine" she stated as Maru removed the fur pelt she wore, wrapping it around the woman and child.

Maru stared in awe at the infant, he looked just like his brother and father, "My lady, he is lovely!" Maru exclaimed, "What has he been named?" she asked as she stroked the child's cheek.

"He is called Inuyasha" she stated.

Maru smiled at the woman, "Lord Inuyasha, he will live a good life, my lady" Maru's attention was stolen as the building finally collapsed. She waited silently for her lord to emerge, but he did not. "My lady, please wait here" she stated before running toward the flaming ruins.

She searched desperately before hearing a faint call of her name, "My lord!" she exclaimed as she plunged to her knees and removing the debris from her master tears streaming down her face.

His breathing was heavy as she held the dying inu, "Maru, I thought I told you to stay with Izayoi."

Maru shook as she watched her master, "She and Inuyasha are safe, my lord."

He smiled before releasing a sigh, "You will call me that until the end I suppose" he said with a solemn smile.

"My lord?"

He looked at her with the eyes full of love and fondness that only was ever held for a daughter, "You may not be of my blood, but you will always be my daughter, whether you like it or not" he stated.

Maru couldn't help the sob that escaped her lips as she laid her head on his chest, her tears dowsing his torn kimono, "Father, I promise. I'll watch over them for the rest of my life. No harm will come to Inuyasha as long as I am alive" she promised, her voice shaking.

Inu no Taisho stroked her hair, "I know, Maru. Listen to me, you remember what I told you?" he asked.

She nodded as she looked up at the once powerful yokai, "Take my swords, do not let Sesshomaru know. So'unga is rightfully yours. It is your inheritance, watch over both of my foolish sons in my place. I hope that you and Sesshomaru will reconcile one day. Do you understand, Maru?" he asked her as he reached up to rest his hand on her cheek.

She held his hand, "Yes, father. I understand, I will do everything you have ordered" she stated as her voice shook so much she could barely speak.

He smiled, "Good. I love you, child. Don't ever forget that. Watch over them for me" he stated as he closed his content eyes. His hand slowly began to slip from her hand.

"No, father. Please, don't leave" she stated as his hand slipped from hers. She pulled him closer as she cried.

"Lady Maru, he has gone" Myoga stated with a shaky voice from her shoulder. Maru sighed and wiped away her tears. She leaned over his body grabbing Tessaiga and Tenseiga. She removed the rubble from So'unga, glaring at the sword that was her inheritance. She knew all too well the evil of the sword. She grabbed its sheath and placed it within before standing and strapping Tessaiga and Tenseiga to her obi before putting So'unga on her back.

"Let's go, Myoga. We must take Lady Izayoi to a safe place before we bury him" she stated as she turned hesitating only slightly before leaving to retrieve her master's lover. Her blue kimono was drenched in blood as well as her hands. Her face had a smeared bloody hand print on it. Her face was stoic, however, as she approached the woman. Her eyes were brimming with tears as she held the wailing infant.

"I am sorry, my lady. There was nothing I could do" she stated bowing, "We must take the two of somewhere safe and warmer" Maru told her.

Izayoi nodded as Maru kneeled, "I will carry you, my Lady. Our destination is far and you have just given birth, you must be exhausted" the woman nodded as she climbed onto the hanyou's back. Maru wrapped a rope around the woman to keep her arms free to carry Inuyasha. Izayoi handed the infant to the hanyou as she settled onto the hanyou's back, laying her head on her shoulder. Maru could feel the dampness on her shoulder as walked toward Totosai's until they could find a proper home for Izayoi and the child.


Maru shooed the memory as she stood and headed down the hill to the gate. She walked through the gate and received many stares and whispers echoed as I passed. I tried to conceal my sent and aura but inu rarely didn't catch a scent with their powerful noses. Maru took her time walking to the castle. She knew that Sesshomaru would soon be told of her being in the town so she wouldn't have much time to enjoy the town. She headed toward the market first to look around and see if anyone she knew was still running their shop. She stopped as she crossed the bridge. She watched as several boats rowed down the canal. Her attention was soon taken as she felt Sesshomaru's presence coming toward her. She looked at the other side of the bridge where he stood with the army's general and one of his advisors. Jaken was running up having been left behind like usual.

Maru smiled at him as she turned to face the men. She was about to head toward them when someone grabbed her putting a katana to her neck while two sets of sealing bead were placed around her. A seal hung from one that bond her hands and feet immediately in an invisible cord. She turned her head to see Katsuro underneath the hat he had used to disguise himself.

"We meet again, hime-sama" he smirked as he threw her over his shoulder a dodged an attack from Sesshomaru. "My apologies, Lord Sesshomaru, but Maru is the daughter of the Lord of the Northern Lands and your…bond" he uttered the last bit with disdain, "Was not permitted by her father. If you'd like to ask for her hand, you'll have to ask her father properly. Now, we'll be on our way" he stated as he took to the rooftops as Maru struggled to escape the bindings.

"Let me go, Katsuro. I'm not a piece of property!" she shouted as she squirmed.

Katsuro didn't acknowledge her as he continued on his way back to the Northern Lands. She turned back to see Sesshomaru was not giving chase, instead he stood on the bridge watching as they left. Her heart dropped, he had abandoned her. He had abandoned her just like her father had at birth.


A/N: Well, Inari has Maru once again. Has Sesshomaru really given up on his mate? Maru thinks so. I wonder what will happen to them now? Sorry about the twist, but things with Inari must be resolved if Sesshomaru and Maru are to begin their relationship. I'll try and get the next chapter up as soon as possible.